Jamaican Legend Derrick Harriott Has Died

Derrick Harriott, the Jamaican singer, producer and label founder whose work helped shape ska, rocksteady and reggae, has died aged 87. His music connected Jamaica’s early sound system culture with changing musical styles and reached audiences well beyond the island.

His death was confirmed on 24 October, with reports saying he died peacefully at home. Born in Kingston in 1939, Harriott first recorded with Claude Sang Jr before going solo in the early 1960s and founding the Crystal label. He scored rocksteady hits, helped define early reggae and became popular with UK audiences, while continuing to perform and collaborate with later generations of ska musicians.